Dictionary gets ‘sexed-up’

by Mark Bedford In a new Oxford mini- dictionary released this week one of the most controversial expressions of 2003 has made its first appearance. The idiom “sex up” has been published in The Language Report (Oxford University Press). Author Susie Dent can regularly be found residing in Dictionary Corner on Channel 4 show Countdown, but she also works for the Oxford English Dictionary. Publishing manager of the OUP Judy Pearall said that “it is a snapshot of language now…it is not our business to make judgements”. The phrase “sex up” rose to public prominence in May this year when the BBC reporter Andrew Gilligan accused the government of “sexing up” its intelligence on Iraqi weapons.ARCHIVE: 1st Week MT2003